Encouragement for Today - August 15, 2012

"Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help." - Psalm 9:10 (GW)

I had heard great things about her, but it wasn't until we worked in the same office that I really got to know her. Yet, there were certain traits I only discovered by "doing life" with LeAnn, like her dry sense of humor and her unique way of making each person feel noticed and loved.

As our friendship deepened, LeAnn became someone I could depend on. But honestly, I only discovered she was dependable when I needed to depend on her and she came through for me.

I've found that our relationship with God grows closer in the same way. We may have heard things about God, but we won't really know Him until we spend time with Him - talking, listening and observing who He is and depending on Him.

We learn to trust His heart by interacting with Him and experiencing His character in personal ways.

In the book of Judges, chapter 6, an angel of the Lord appeared before Gideon and told him that he was going to become a mighty warrior and defeat a huge army of his enemies. But Gideon didn't believe him.

You see, Gideon only knew about God. He had heard of His faithfulness in others' lives, but he didn't know God personally.

And it's hard to trust someone you don't know.

Gideon told the angel of the Lord, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you."

And the Lord said, 'I will wait until you return.'" (Judg. 6:17-18 NIV)

When Gideon brought his offering, the angel of the Lord touched it with the tip of his staff and fire flared from the rock, consuming it. Then Gideon realized it was in fact the angel of the Lord and exclaimed, "Alas, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" (v. 22b NIV).

Up to this point, Gideon had called Him "Lord." But now he used the word "Sovereign" to describe His Lord because he had experienced God's sovereignty.

Another layer of confidence was built when Gideon witnessed God's power.

Gideon must have looked terrified, because immediately, "the Lord said to him, 'Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die'" (v. 23 NIV). I love what Gideon did next: "Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace" (v. 24a NIV).

God had revealed His character by demonstrating His power and by giving Gideon peace to help him overcome his doubts and fears.

Gideon not only knew about God, now he was getting to know Him personally. He would learn that it's much easier to trust someone you know—someone you have experienced life with in a personal way.

Just like my friend LeAnn, my relationship with Jesus has grown closer over time and I've come to love Him as I have experienced His love for me. I've learned to depend on Him and trust Him deeply as I've come to know His heart and His character.

We will not know God as Jehovah Rapha, our Healer, until we experience and recognize His healing in our lives, whether spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically. We cannot know Him as Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, if we are not in need. We will not know Him as Jehovah Nissi, our Banner, unless we need Him for victory.

We will grow in our relationship with Jesus and our confidence in Him will deepen as we live in the promise of today's key verse: "Those who know your name trust you, O Lord, because you have never deserted those who seek your help." (Psalm 9:10 GW)

Dear Lord, I want to know You for who You really are. I desire to trust and follow You more and more each day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Reflect and Respond:
Keep a list of several of God's Names to remind you of who God is. It also helps to say His names out loud and thank God for being each of these things for you; to say, Lord, thank You that You are ...